The greatest Land Rover shows to visit during 2018

With Land Rover celebrating 70 years as the best 4x4xfar, there’s a host of shows dedicated to all things Solihull throughout 2018. Here’s four of the best

As the good weather rolls in (maybe) and the sun comes out (perhaps) to bring temperatures beyond freezing (it could happen), those of us with addictions to Land Rovers roll up the canvas roofing and shed a layer of waterproofs to attend shows usually located in muddy fields; where the only refreshments are from a burger van charging £19 for two 'burgers' and the toilets are mostly medieval.

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However, worry not! Not all shows where entry is charged leaves you questioning you sanity. Here’s AutoClassics's top 4 Land Rover orientated shows for the upcoming summer. If it doesn’t warm up by then, pop out and rev your Landy for a while. The greenhouse gasses should speed the process along nicely....

Land Rover Legends

May 26/27, 2018

Enjoying widespread fan attention in the run up to the inaugural event, Land Rover Legends promises to be the best experience dedicated to the Solihull 4x4 on the show scene calendar. Besides covering the full range offered from the Land Rover stable since birth in 1948, the Bicester Heritage event will feature an appearance from 1989 Camel Trophy winners Bob and Joe Ives alongside their victorious 1989 Land Rover 110.

A brand new event for Land Rover connoisseurs, collectors and preservationists, Bicester Heritage are paying homage to the globally adored utilitarian icon – bringing together the vehicles, people and stories behind the green oval. Highlighting everything special about Land Rovers past and present, Land Rover nut Mark Evans will be taking to the live stage and a vehicle parade will boast the entire model showcase. From the 1948 86” Series I to the 2018 Range Rover Sport SVR, every Landy will gain its segment in the spotlight.

Clubs stands and autojumbles will also take centre stage, with the foundational Land Rover Legends National Awards recognising, amongst others:

Scottish Land Rover Show

May 26/27, 2018

Too far beyond the wall to get to Bicester for Land Rover Legends? Don’t panic! Save the date for a slice of Northern Land Rover action on May 26 and 27. Returning for a third year to the Royal Highland show ground in Ingliston, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, the Scottish Land Rover show is set to host a wide array of major manufacturers, retailers and autojumble stands.

Hundreds of Land Rovers are set to pose on club displays as the main action arena guarantees axle-twisting, suspension-stretching madness over the two-day festival. From lashings of club stands and technical advice to the Flatdog Twist Off competition, you certainly won’t leave disappointed. Engine710 are expected to be there with their tuned Defender 90 and Freelander Td4, of which AutoClassics featured last month.

Promising to be the greatest global gathering of all things Land Rover Scotland has ever seen, as a family show there’s food stalls and plenty for the kids to entertain themselves with. You can join the mailing list here.

Kelmarsh – The Original Land Rover Show

July 27-29, 2018

Kelmarsh Hall will once again host what is referred to as the ‘largest Land Rover show’ on the planet. A one-stop shop for the requirements needed to satisfy Land Rover tastes of all deviations – Range Rover P38, Discovery 2, Freelander 1 all catered for – there is something for everyone. A true godsend, as it falls in the middle of British school’s summer holidays!

Keep your kids entertained and enjoy some time in the company of fellow Landy petrolheads. Oh yeah, and some seldom seen vehicles from the Dunsfold collection usually turn up – including pre-production and Judge Dredd’s Forward Control 101.

There’s the massive trade village with an extensive amount of trade stands and expert advice alongside the club village featuring over 80 clubs from across the nation. Over 800 vehicles are expected.

You also have an upgraded off-road course situated a mere ten minutes up the road from the showground at the Avalanche 4x4 off-road centre. The track contains hard and soft ground, steep inclines, shallow and deep water mated to side slopes and axle-twisters – not to mention Vince Cobley and his experienced Protrax team offering entrance to an extreme wooded section for no extra cost.

It makes for the potential to become the most popular established show for those following the Land Rover scene. Don’t believe us? Have a watch of last year’s video highlights. You can purchase tickets online.

Peterborough Land Rover Owner Show

September 15/16, 2018

Retailers! A live action arena! A workshop theatre! Meet the staff of Land Rover Owner magazine!

The LRO Peterborough Land Rover show has spent years as the go-to show for Landy nuts, but with such competition the efforts have been upped. For previous shows, Land Rover have carted along HUE 166 and the finest of Range Rover Suffix As, whereas off-road racing legend Ed Cobley has taken to the arena to powerslide V6-engined Bowler Defender 110s.

Well, good news! It’s all coming back! Besides the remote control assault course for children – bungee trampolines, ToyLanders and various other fairground attractions should also help to keep young minds from wandering – there is also the Britpart workshop hosted by TV’s Jerry Thurston and the popular Friday night happy hour opening party. Night time entertainment will be provided by extra displays in the arena, usually from the G4 and Camel Trophy owners’ club.

Just like Kelmarsh – there is also a Britpart-sponsored off-road course you can pay to tackle with your own 4x4. Get yourself a preview: